Picnickers at the Corniche in Jeddah have complained about swarms of rodents that scurry around the area and spoil the quietude of the surroundings.

Beach lovers are concerned about the worsening situation and continue to call on municipal authorities to take effective measures to keep pests off the beaches, or else tourists will look for cleaner spaces elsewhere.

“No fruitful efforts are being made by the municipal authorities to keep the ugly looking cats and dangerous mice away. I have never seen any workers taking any steps to clean the area of these pests even though I am a regular visitor here,” Khaled Hakami, a concerned resident, told Arab News.

Hakami believes that the rats that run around everywhere pose a serious health threat and stressed the need to speak up against the municipality’s negligence.

Another visitor, Naif Abdullah, urged authorities to step up and allay the public’s fears, combating the plagues of insects and rodents that have made the beach theirs. He said the whole area is infested with insects, particularly the central part of the Corniche.

Waseem Ali, another resident, blamed the visitors who leave behind their food waste at the beach, for the growing numbers of pests. He also complained that the cats and mice have damaged a considerable part of sitting places and green surfaces.

Yahya Atif, another local, said the cats do not allow him to eat his supper peacefully and he must shift seats many times.

Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras said all cracks and holes on rocks where mice hide and breed have been filled, and maintenance and repair works are undertaken regularly at the Corniche to keep the area pest-free. However the mayor called on the visitors not to spoil the beach’s environment by littering the area with food, which helps expand the cat and mice population. He asked them to use the garbage boxes always without exception.

The mayor pointed that it was the joint responsibility of the municipality and visitors to preserve the public property.